BetaBait, the Beta-Tester Marketplace for Startups

February 5, 2012

12:00 pm

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Coming from someone who is in the process of self-publishing his first book, I know firsthand the importance of having a 2nd (or 35th) set of eyes to proof for errors and learn of ideas for improvement. Between writing, formatting, creating sell copy, developing a new website, and designing a cover, there’s a lot of opportunity for mistakes. And quite frankly, I’ve made them all. If it weren’t for friends and those willing to lend their support through Facebook and Twitter, my upcoming launch would be riddled with errors.

But not everyone is so fortunate to have such a supportive community. For those launching a new product, service, or business and haven’t spent (see: wasted) quite so much time socializing online, where can they turn to find others willing to help work out the bugs?

In their own words, BetaBait is “a place for startups to connect with early adopters who love new apps.” A daily e-mail is sent to those who’ve signed up as interested beta testers. The testers can then respond directly to the companies whose projects they find most interesting. Win, win.

BetaBait has recently expanded its service to meet the surprising surge in demand from both sides.

As is the case with any community-based web service, the challenge lies in getting the word out to the right audience. Barbierri has found the early stages of this to be surprisingly easy, however: “The best thing about startups and early adopters (our two target audiences) is that they are very active and proactive. Meaning, they are constantly looking for ways to either promote their startup or the next big app to test. While we have had some coverage to help with our growth, a lot of our users have come from word of mouth via social networks as well as connections in the startup world (VC, angels, bloggers).”

Barbierri and fellow co-founder, Rory Thompson, arrived at the idea for BetaBait based on frustrations from a previous startup they had attempt to get off the ground. In his opinion, Barbierri felt that there was too much emphasis in getting press in order to find interested beta users. In order to get an app off the ground, the product needs to demonstrate promise. In order to show potential, however, an app must be closer to the “finished” end of the development.

Barbierri adds, “I thought to myself, there should be a way I can reach a large group of early adopters with no gate keepers. By gate keepers I mean the people who decide who gets into the press or the influencers on social networks…A few months later, we came up with BetaBait and its popularity has exploded.”

If you’re interested in testing out new apps or having your new app be tested, stop by the BetaBait marketplace.

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When Zach Davis isn't getting lost in the mountains, he is hustling from Boulder, CO as Tech Cocktail's Director of Marketing. He is the author of Appalachian Trials, a book chronicling the mindset necessary for thru-hiking all 2,181 miles of the Appalachian Trail, a feat he accomplished in 2011. Zach is a green tea enthusiast, die-hard Chicago sports fan, and avid concert-goer. Follow Zach on Twitter: @zrdavis.